Different key question - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

lomile02 · 02-17-2010, 06:53 AM

I bought a 2002 xle with the immobiliser system. It only had the black master key when I bought it. I purchased two blank transponder keys off Ebay. I had them cut at a local hardware store. I then programed them and they work fine except the hardware store did a poor job of cutting them and they are both quite sticky to turn. I want to buy two more blanks and this time get them cut at a locksmith who has a better cutting machine. My question is that in the manual it states that there is a limit to how many spare keys your dealer can make you. That is all it says. Anyone know what that is about? Can I make two more- for a total of five keys- or is there really some kind of system limit and how many can I have or what will happen if I exceed the limit? Are thay trying to impose some kind of limit on how many keys you can have to deter theft or something? Any info appreciated.

trehouse · 02-17-2010, 02:20 PM

There's something about the number of transponders the car will recognize.

lomile02 · 02-17-2010, 02:30 PM

I know about that- I am referring to the hard key? Is there a limit on how many you can have at one time?

trehouse · 02-17-2010, 02:37 PM

I'm not an expert however I've been messing with my keys lately. I had understood that each transponder is unique and the car will remember 3 of em which is what your manual is referring to. If this isn't what your looking for then someone else is going to have to jump in. I also read that if you lose all of em your SOL (without changing something in the car) so to me that means it is finite. I'll try to find the info on this which I had read online.

lomile02 · 02-17-2010, 05:17 PM

page 13 of the 2002 owners manual states that there is a limit on the number of keys. I have 3 working keys right now- a master and two poorly cut copies. What will happen the next time I program another key? I am assuming it will not deactivate the master- perhaps the one that was made next to keep the number at three total keys. I want to make some better copies than the poorly cut ones I have. Will making new copies just deactivate a previous copy or will it cause other problems?

trehouse · 02-17-2010, 06:49 PM

The following comes from a web site which seems to have knowledgeable Toyota people regarding the locks. In addition to the following it seems that someone has had a transponder key in the car and uses non transponder keys to start the car.

" The Toyota Electronic Control Module does not have programming modes without a pre- programmed key. If there is no key available that is already programmed into the module, the module must be replaced.

Toyota has limited the number of keys that can be programmed into any new 2002+ Toyota and Lexus vehicle. Only 3 workings keys can be programmed to a vehicle at any one time. If you try adding an additional key to a vehicle containing 3 Transponder Keys. The vehicles On-Board computer will not accept the new key. "

Din300 · 02-23-2010, 10:58 PM

The car will only memorize 3 keys at once each key is has a unique code. If you add another key the computer will delete the 1st key from its memory for example key:a Key:b Key:C are your three if you want to add another key(key: D) it will erase key:a from its memory so your left with key: B,C,D. there is no war around it that was the way it was manufactured.

lomile02 · 02-24-2010, 06:51 AM

FYI for anyone wondering. I had the two new keys cut and I programed them and all 5 keys work. Perhaps the three key limit was not until 2003? Mine is a 2002 xle with factory security system and immobiliser.

njerald · 02-24-2010, 07:43 AM

GEN6 w/o Smartkey can have 6 keys registered.....